The man in charge of St. Joseph's General Hospital Elliot Lake (SJGHEL), CEO Pierre Ozolins, says SJGHEL is actively monitoring the situation regarding COVID-19 and is taking new measures to ensure the safety of patients, residents, visitors and staff. All visitors will continue to be actively screened at the hospital.
In a news release Mr. Ozolins said, "The hospital continues active screening of all people at the entrance for symptoms of COVID-19. The hospital is also taking necessary steps to prepare for a surge of patients."
"All non-essential visits to the hospital and St. Joseph’s Manor continue to be suspended until further notice. The Camillus residential treatment centre has been closed. The ministry (Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care) is identifying essential visitors as those who have family members who are dying or very ill or a parent/guardian of an ill child or youth, a visitor of a patient undergoing surgery or a woman giving birth," he continued.
Ozolins asked everyone to remember:
• washing your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer is your first defence against this illness
• social distancing (maintain two metres/six feet) from others, especially anyone coughing or sneezing. This is especially important if you are in a line up while shopping
• sneeze and cough into your sleeve
• avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• avoid contact with people who are sick
• it is vital that you stay at home if you are sick. In particular, do not visit a longterm care, retirement home or other congregate living places
Further, Mr. Ozolins stated, "Please be prepared to keep these measures in place for the foreseeable future. That means for at least the next 2 months. Your life and that of others depends upon you maintaining them, so please do your part. If you see others not adhering to these measures, a gentle reminder is in order."
"We thank the community for your vigilance and for your continued support during these extraordinary times. By individually and collectively decreasing our social contact with one another, we will beat COVID-19. We will prevail," he concluded.
More information on COVID-19 can be found on the SJGHEL website and the Algoma Public Health website.